50 Years of Motorcycle Suspension

In 2017 we have the rare opportunity to celebrate a combined 50 years
of motorcycle suspension between Koni and Ikon. Starting in 1967, Koni
B.V. in Holland, introduced a range of motorcycle shock absorbers which
they made until early 2001 after which Proven Products Pty Ltd in Australia
- who had been the Australian importer of Koni - signed an exclusive
license agreement in late 2000 and began to make the range known as
Ikon Suspension. Ikon has continued to expand and grow the range into
2017, 50 years on.

Although Koni and Proven Products/Ikon are not connected in any way
today, the signed agreement between Koni and Proven Products allowed
for the same designs from Koni to be used as a foundation for the new
Ikon range. For that reason, the products of today and earlier years
have an almost identical appearance and a level of interchangability.

Koni’s earliest catalogues and technical resources included
the following statement; “after many years of experience in automotive
shock absorbers, KONI started in 1967 with the production of motorcycle
shock absorbers”. Koni went on to say; “from the beginning
there was interest from motocrossers, road racers and normal drivers”.
This has remained true over the years as the range was developed and
changed over the last 50 years.

The Koni range started with a mix of specific applications and universal
options for those with standard or custom motorcycles. Back in 1967
the shocks were made in what Koni called the 76 series. These shocks
were adjustable, rebuildable and came with a range of linear springs.
The 1970’s saw the additions of the lighter weight alloy bodied
moto cross shocks which featured cooling fins and also the gas pressurised,
non adjustable and non rebuildable 23 series. To compliment them was
a range of linear and progressive rate springs. The progressively rated
springs began to provide ride benefits not previously enjoyed. The
introduction these springs was a significant change and the impact
of which still echoes in today’s product.

As the 1970’s progressed a shift began away from twin shock
rear suspension to Moto Cross and road bikes with single shock absorbers.
Furthermore, some original equipment shock absorbers on twin shock
models had started to include damping adjustability. This was an external
adjustment which could be utilised while the shocks were on the motorcycle.
In the early 1980’s Koni introduced the 7610 series which continued
to use the range of progressive rate springs and added 4 position external
rebound adjustment. This saw a reduction of the 76 range with a small
range of shocks made especially for trials riding left and the discontinuation
of the 23 series. From then on Koni’s focus was road bikes.

Later Koni introduced a limited range of mono shocks. These 3014 series
shocks had aluminium bodies with externally adjustable rebound, screw
thread pre-load and progressive rate springs. The focus primarily being
the BMW’s of the 1980’s and early 1990s. This mostly remained
the case except for a short run of a series knows as 2615 which included
mono shock applications for some other Japanese bikes. By this time
the motorcycle market place was dominated by mono shock bikes with
only a few makes and models such as Harley Davidsion and Moto Guzzi
having twin shocks.

The dawn of the Ikon brand in 2000-2001 saw the range limited to 7610
series shocks at first as the classic retro market emerged and a new
lease of life for twin shock suspensions both as new models and in
restoring bikes of yesteryear. The range began to grow and expand with
the creation of a new line of modern style aluminium bodied shocks,
the 7614 series. Some 76 series part numbers were introduced too. These
additions allowed Ikon to address not just the road bike market but
also what today is the vintage off road and moto cross market.

The next phase of suspension development for Ikon included adding
a range of fork springs which was achieved quickly in collaboration
with a mix of other European and Australian partners. An extensive
range of upgraded progressive rate fork springs is now available and
continues to grow.

Ikon could not ignore the mono shock market for long. Today the range
of 3610 mono shocks exceed 100 applications and features rebuildability,
4 position rebound adjustment, progressive rate springs and screw thread
pre-load. On some applications OEM remote pre-load adjusters can be
retro fitted.

The final additions to the Ikon range have been a range of mono tube
aluminium bodied shocks, 3214 series, for road and off road applications
and a line of non-adjustable Basix shocks aimed at the budget conscious.

Ikon and its dealers around the world like to take as personal approach
as possible to product selection and customisation whatever the riding
need. Ikon encourages riders, racers and builders to interact with
them to arrive at the best Ikon solution for any given need. Ikon Suspension
now embarks on the next 50 years of motorcycle suspension with optimism
and enthusiasm in a market that is as diverse as it has ever been.
Ikon is always eager to rise to the challenge of riding in the 21st
century with its two core statements; Bike on with Ikon and, Because
your ride matters.